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Chest informationand support

Coping with tiredness

Everyone feels tired sometimes, but usually you will feel better after resting. However many people living with a long-term chest condition can feel extreme tiredness (or fatigue) for a lot of the time. This can leave you with little energy for everyday tasks such as getting dressed or cooking a meal.

Why do I feel so tired?

There are many reasons you may feel more tired than normal if you have a long-term chest condition.

Physical reasons include:

You may be having difficulty sleeping at night and this will make you more tired during the day.

Physical changes may mean that you are learning to do things in a different way and this can be tiring mentally and physically.

Damage to your lungs can mean that less oxygen gets into your blood.

Emotional reasons include:

If you are feeling stressed, frustrated, angry or depressed, these emotions can make you feel extremely tired and cause sleep disturbances.

Your medication:

Tiredness can be a side effect of some medicines. Discuss this with your doctor if you think your medicines are making you feel tired.

What can I do to help me feel less tired?

There are many things you can do to help restore your energy levels if you are feeling tired:

Keep active

Get good-quality sleep

Cut out caffeine

Eat regular meals and healthy snacks

Drink plenty of fluids

Lose weight (if you are overweight)

Pace yourself

Plan ahead

Relax

What can I do to conserve energy?

Things that can help you to save energy and feel less tired include:

Try to do a little each day rather than a lot in one go.

Sit down for as many activities as possible. For example, when you are preparing food or getting dressed.

Spread housekeeping tasks across the week and ask for help if you need it from family or friends or be hiring a cleaner.

Do your shopping online if you can or if you have to go shopping, go at less busy times.

Try to avoid unnecessary walking or carrying around the home by having things you know you are going to need throughout the day nearby.

Try to make sure you relax regularly. This might be by going for a walk or listening to music. Anything that helps you relax and reduces stress will help you feel less tired.